Denver area community emergency notification systems - By city and county

June 17, 1:51 PMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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When a tornado or other severe weather strikes, does your
city or county have the means to warn you?  Image courtesy
Sean Strachan. 

With severe weather season in full swing as evidenced by the recent nine day streak of storms, area citizens have been asking if their city and county governments offered ways to notify residents about weather related disasters. The Denver Weather Examiner recently completed a comprehensive survey and investigation of most Denver metro area counties and governments to find out how they notify residents when severe weather strikes. The results are hit or miss depending on where you live.

• Companion story:  Will your city or county warn you about extreme weather? 

Below is a list of most Denver metropolitan area cities and counties and what their capabilities currently are with respect to notifying citizens of weather emergencies. If you feel your local government is not meeting the needs of the community in this regard, you should contact your local elected officials and city and county emergency management officials and let them know your thoughts.

This list is current as of June 17, 2009 and will be updated as appropriate.

Adams County – No warning sirens in unincorporated areas. The county has Reverse 911 capability and can activate the Emergency Alert System. Highly recommends resident own a weather radio, specifically one with the SAME feature. Once the contract is up with current Reverse 911 provider, the county expects to look for alternatives that would provide enhanced notification options.

Arapahoe County – No sirens. Currently uses Reverse 911. The sheriff’s office will be deploying an “enhanced Reverse 911” system which will send messages to cell phones, email etc. Implementation is expected by the end of July.

Arvada – City has no citywide warning system. Relies on police and fire vehicles equipped with loud speakers, red lights and sirens to help inform citizens of emergency situations. The city also depends on the media to broadcast warnings.

Aurora – No response to inquiries. According to the city’s website, it has 39 sirens throughout the city and has Reverse 911 capability. They recommend citizens own a NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio.

Boulder / Boulder County – Numerous sirens that primarily cover areas prone to flooding including the city of Boulder, Lyons, Marshall, Superior, Lafayette, and Jamestown. Erie and Louisville will soon have sirens as well. The city and county has Reverse 911 capability and expects to roll out the ability to call cell phone, send text messages and send emails in the coming months.

Brighton – Currently has nine sirens in the community but has gaps in the coverage and is working to identify remedies. Offers updates via the city’s website and a desktop computer program. Recent weather has spurred discussions on how to improve their systems.

Broomfield – No response. According to the city’s website, they use Jefferson County’s e911 system which will send voice notifications to phones about non-weather emergencies.

Castle Rock - No sirens due to cost and limited usefulness. The city gave out 200 free weather radios to residents. Some warnings are added to the city’s website and via the city’s Twitter account. A new website, to be launched in November, will increase the capability to incorporate emergency information.

Centennial – No sirens. The city’s emergency services are provided by the Arapahoe County Sheriff and fire districts of South Metro and Littleton Fire. The Arapahoe County Sheriff currently has the Reverse 911 system and is setting up a multi-faceted notification system that includes text messages.

Cherry Hills Village – No response.

Commerce City – Seventeen warning sirens / speakers placed throughout the city with overlapping coverage in residential, recreational, and school-zone areas where people are likely to be outside. System supports voice announcements in addition to warning siren sounds. The city also has a Twitter account that is updated with emergency information (http://twitter.com/comcityoem) and has Reverse 911 capability.

Denver – The city has 73 sirens include nine in use at Denver International Airport. City has Reverse 911 capability.

Douglas County – No response. According to the county’s website, the county uses 3n InstaCom Citizen Alert (now Everbridge) to notify residents of hazards. “Messages can be sent to residents on any communication path desired – cell phone, home phone, email, text messaging, pager, PDA and more.”

Edgewater – City does not have sirens. Edgewater has developed an extensive Emergency Operation Plan that works in conjunction with Jefferson County to disseminate information to residents via electronic media and Reverse 911.

Englewood – Five warming sirens, coverage depends on proximity. Takes part in the Arapahoe County E-911 Authority which can send messages to landlines, cellular phones, email, text messages, etc.

Federal Heights – No response

Glendale – Has one siren which covers the entire city.  Text messaging for citizens available.  Working with the 911 Authority Board from Arapahoe County for a county wide emergency  notification system.

Golden – No response. The city’s website says, “The City's plan is currently being updated by the City of Golden's local Homeland Security Task Force; more information will be forthcoming.”

Greenwood Village – No sirens. Advocates the use of NOAA All Hazards Radio and has Reverse 911. Will be rolling out text alert and email capability using Everbridge products in the coming weeks. Lightning detection system in parks where large gatherings of people occur that sounds an alert when lightning is nearby.

Jefferson County – Mountainous terrain prevents deployment of sirens however they are now being considered for limited use in fire and flood prone areas. Reverse 911 can be utilized and the county has a system called e911 which residents can sign up for that will send non-weather related messages to cell phones. Currently undergoing a Hazard Risk Assessment to determine areas of vulnerability then will determine best means to communicate to areas affected.

Lakewood – No response. City’s website says, “The City is equipped with outdoor sirens and the Reverse 911 telephone notification system."

Littleton – No warning sirens. City relies on Reverse 911, its website, community television station and the ability to interrupt Comcast programming.

Lone Tree – No response.

Longmont – Seventeen warning sirens that cover the entire city. The city expects to roll out text / digital messaging systems by the end of the year.

Louisville – In the process of installing a siren system. No estimate on when the work will be completed but it will encompass the entire city. No specific plans for digital services like text messaging.

Northglenn – No response.

Parker – No response. According to the city’s website, they do not have sirens due to cost and what it says is the limited severity of tornadoes in the area. The city has Reverse 911 capability and recommends citizens tune to local media and that they purchase a NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio.

Sheridan - No response.

Thornton – No warning sirens. City has Reverse 911 capability. The city updates their website and community access TV station with information as needed. Recent weather has spurred discussions about better ways to communicate with citizens.

Westminster – No warning sirens due to limited impact from tornadoes. Recent discussions have taken place about enhancing communication capabilities but any plans have been shelved due to budgetary concerns. Areas in which the public congregates such as City Park are considered to be possibly important areas to look at. Reverse 911 is available but otherwise the city relies on other parties such as broadcast media.

Wheat Ridge – Will be testing a new Emergency Warning System that includes sirens and speakers on June 24th. System is being deployed in phases and will eventually cover the entire city.